She will die above the down arrow,
given sufferance by panhandlers on the street.
Her character will be celebrated with coins,
keeping her in moon-shine.
She will manufacture thunderclouds
as an overhead expense. She will never
hear the train after it departs
the platform. Fetters will fall
to heel her shoeless feet while
she sits, but despite all her sitting,
you will still pass her by.

# # #

Claudia M. Stanek’s work has been turned into a libretto, been part of an art exhibition, and been translated into Polish. Her chapbook, Language You Refuse to Learn, was published by Bright Hill Press (2014). Her poems may be found online and in print. She holds an MFA from Bennington College.

Photo: Kevin Grieve